Strategy
This strategy sets out the direction in which the Swiss Agency for Accreditation and Quality Assurance (AAQ) will implement its legal mandate in a changing environment and changing stakeholder expectations and needs with the resources at its disposal. The strategy is implemented through a rolling action plan, which is reviewed annually and updated as needed.
Vision
AAQ is an independent agency, firmly anchored in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). It is committed to promoting academic freedom and scientific integrity, stakeholder participation in decision-making processes, and the creation and exchange of advanced and innovative knowledge.
AAQ supports Higher Education Institutions in fulfilling their core missions and fostering active, participatory citizenship while advancing objectives related to sustainable development, equal opportunities, and digitalization.
Mission
AAQ carries out institutional accreditation and programme accreditation procedures based on the Higher Education Act (HEdA).
In addition, AAQ carries out programme accreditations within the framework of the Medical Professions Act (initial and continuing training), the Psychological Professions Act (continuing training) and the Health Professions Act (training) and tailor-made evaluations as well as system accreditations in Germany and quality audits in Austria.
AAQ's procedures comply with international standards. To ensure this, AAQ continuously reflects on the methods of its procedures, develops them further and, to this end, maintains an exchange with national interest groups and networks with organisations involved in accreditation and quality assurance in the European Higher Education Area.
Principles
The AAQ promotes quality assurance and -development at higher education institutions through innovative and goal-oriented methods.
The AAQ sees itself as an external partner in quality assurance and development.
The AAQ respects the autonomy of universities, the diversity of disciplines and institutions, and cultural and linguistic diversity.
The AAQ is independent, works with internationally recognised methods, uses a broad network to implement its mission and has many years of expertise.
Strategic objectives
1 AAQ strengthens its position as an independent and agile agency in Switzerland and abroad. It has a clear profile in all areas of activity.
2 AAQ acts as a sustainable organisation. It accesses internal and external knowledge and continuously reflects on its actions.
3 AAQ pursues active and transparent communication.
4 AAQ cultivates a cooperative working culture and promotes the further development of its employees.